Saturday, 13 August 2011

The reason for the masking tape serves 2 purposes. Firstly it protects the finish that has already been applied and secondly it helps to prevent any breakout when slicing the cuffs up through the bandsaw.

For an item of jewellery that is competitively priced, jig making is a necessity to make the production process as quick and easy as possible.

A couple of processes left. Remove the cuff and sand the inside and the edges before applying the finish.

Friday, 15 July 2011

With the aid of some screws to keep the components from sliding around after glue up, clamp all the pieces together.This was done in several stages to make lining up the components easier.This had to be perfectly aligned.

Finally the components become one.The male forma was made using mdf laminated and then turned on an engineering lathe.

Cutting the forma exactly in half.

Having cut the forma in half, it left the forma with a piece missing - due to the bandsaw blade cut.Glueing veneer back on to the cut edges of the forma replaces the saw cut. Finally, all that is left to do is to protect the forma from coming into contact with glue.A roll of parcel tape works well.

Sunday, 3 July 2011

Replicating parts for the forma
Now that I have a perfect round template, it is time to mark out all of my components for creating the female forma

From here, you have to cut out the waste - first by drilling a couple of large diameter holes on the inside of the line and then, using the jigsaw, cutting out the waste - being careful not to cross the line, but being as close as possible. Screwing the template to the component and using a 50mm bearing guided straight fluted cutter, clean out the waste - leaving a perfect circle.

After replicating the process with each component, I am now ready to construct my forma.

Saturday, 25 June 2011

Welcome to part one of 'Jewellery in the Making'! For my next five blogs, I will be showing you how I have produced one of my latest products - an item of jewellery - the wooden cuff.

From my research into the diameter of the cuff, I was able to establish the correct diameter for my male forma. By measuring the thickness of the number of veneers required to make up the cuff, this gave me the diameter of the female forma. I then proceeded to make my template to help me replicate the components for making the female forma.

Marking out the diameter of the template

To router out the perfect circle in the template, I had to create a jig that had a pin offset from the furthest edge of the straight fluted cutter to the radius of the circle.

By placing the mdf on to the centre pin and adjusting the height of the cutter through every 360 degree turn, I was able to achieve the perfect circle. You must not let the cutter cut through the thickness of the mdf - leaving 0.5-1mm is ideal as it maintains the point of reference for rotation.

All that is left to do is to cut out the circle with a scalpel, and clean up the edge that the cutter did not machine.

Now we have the final template (before and after) ready for replicating the parts for the female forma.

Saturday, 21 May 2011

The Open House Festival is well and truly underway after our red carpet preview evening. Yes, the red carpet was actually rolled out and you can still walk on it when you come to visit Robinson House Studio during the Open House Festival weekends. We look forward to seeing you!
In the meantime, here are some photos from the weekend.

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When ideas strike, you have to get them down on paper!

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Sketching waits for no man!

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The prize for best stand went to Joe Della-Porta. Joe's stand looks great and showcases his japanese influenced furniture. Great job, Joe! Well deserved. http://www.della-porta.co.uk/

Don't forget! Robinson House Studio will be open for one more weekend, when the Festival will come to an end. When you come along to see us, make sure you enter our competition - you can win one of three bottles of champagne. We look forward to seeing you!﻿﻿﻿﻿